Plan Your Visit

Discover the Wonder of Science!

WonderLab is located downtown on the B-Line Trail in the heart of the Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District (BEAD).
The Museum is just a short walk to Indiana University, the Bloomington Convention Center, and downtown hotels,
shops, restaurants, galleries and other attractions. WonderLab welcomes visitors of all ages and abilities.

Getting to WonderLab

WonderLab is a convenient day trip for visitors from central and south-central Indiana, as well as from metro areas in adjoining states. The museum is approximately one hour from Indianapolis and French Lick/West Baden, and slightly more than two hours from Cincinnati, Evansville, and Louisville.

WonderLab is easily accessed by public transportation, with a Bloomington Transit bus stop right in front, and the main bus station just three blocks east. If you’re driving, look for the way-finder sign for Downtown Square. WonderLab is also accessible to walkers and bikers on the B-Line Trail. The Museum has a bike rack outside.

Parking

Meters ($0.25 per 15 minutes) are enforced Monday through Saturday, 9 am – 9 pm. These spaces are free on Sundays and City of Bloomington holidays. You can use coins, credit card, debit card or Park Mobile smartphone app.

PUBLIC PARKING FACILITIES

The 4th Street Garage (105 W 4th St) is the closest public parking facility, between Walnut Street and College Avenue. The first three hours are free, Monday through Friday, 8 am – 6 pm, with a cost of $.50 per hour for each subsequent hour. Weekends and evenings are free. The garage is monitored 24 hrs/day, 7 days/week.

HANDICAP PARKING

There is one handicap parking space in front of WonderLab. See also the public parking garages.

MEMBERS: FREE PARKING ON WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS

WonderLab members may request a special parking pass at the WonderLab welcome desk to display in your car’s windshield that will allow you to park in the back lot of the Bloomington Monroe County Convention Center on weekends and holidays. Please contact the Membership Manager or staff at the Welcome Desk. This lot is an easy one-block walk to WonderLab via the B-Line Trail, suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. There is no hourly restriction on these parking spaces, so you can relax and enjoy your visit at WonderLab.

BUS PARKING

Your group confirmation letter will provide instructions on bus parking.

Visitor Tips

Before Your Visit

Please check home page for special visitor alerts.

As a general rule, we recommend that you plan for a two-hour visit. However, you are the best judge of the interests and attention spans of those with you. Since your WonderLab admission is good for the whole day, you may want to explore downtown Bloomington in the middle of your museum visit.

Review parking options that best fit the anticipated length of your visit and your needs.

Have a gift store strategy. We encourage families and individual visitors shop for a science souvenir at the conclusion of your visit. Group leaders may wish to spread out shopping throughout the visit to avoid delays before departure.

Questions?

Your Visit

Strollers are welcome. If you wish, you may park your stroller in the coat room.

All of WonderLab’s restrooms are accessible and have diaper changing stations.

The museum welcome desk is your source for a key for a free storage locker, information on nearby restaurants and other attractions, and WonderLab’s lost-and-found service. It also is where you may register for upcoming programs or obtain tickets for the day’s special shows.

Museum staff (blue aprons) at the welcome desk and in the galleries can answer your questions and attend to your first-aid needs. Ask volunteers (green aprons) for additional help.

Learning is an active process of discovery at WonderLab! You can enhance the experience by asking questions that stimulate thinking and encourage experimentation as you and your family explore the exhibit galleries.

Paid general admission can be applied to a new membership for up to 14 days from the date of the visit. View the Membership page for more information and contact number.